Sept. 16 - Matthew 26:14-30, 27:1-10
"Surely not I, Rabbi?"
What was Judas thinking? There has been tremendous speculation about what Judas was thinking among Christians for the past 2000 years. Some believe that Judas was trying to force Jesus into leading Israel to freedom from the Romans. Others believe that Judas felt betrayed by Jesus. Does it matter why he did it? The reason might make us feel better, but obviously it did not help Judas. Whatever his reason, the final act of Judas' life was one of regretting what he had done.
What I find of value in this is that neither Jesus or God gave up on Judas. Judas commits suicide, but it is not because he has been spurned by God. That was his choice If Jesus could forgive Peter for his betrayal, I can't help but think he would have forgiven Judas. I wish Judas would have given him the opportunity.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sept. 15 - Mark 9:33-37
Mark 9:33-37
You have to wonder what were the disciples thinking when they were arguing who was the greatest? It is no wonder that they remain silent when Jesus asks them what they were arguing about. How could you be a disciple of Jesus and find yourself arguing with other disciples about who was the greatest? Their argument makes it seems as if they weren't paying attention. Do you have such moments? Where your actions or words make it appear that you are no longer paying attention to Jesus?
You have to wonder what were the disciples thinking when they were arguing who was the greatest? It is no wonder that they remain silent when Jesus asks them what they were arguing about. How could you be a disciple of Jesus and find yourself arguing with other disciples about who was the greatest? Their argument makes it seems as if they weren't paying attention. Do you have such moments? Where your actions or words make it appear that you are no longer paying attention to Jesus?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept. 14- Genesis 27
Sept. 14- Genesis 27
"Esau held a grudge against Jacob"
The older son was to receive the blessing. The words of the blessing would shape the rest of the son's life. They believed the father could only give one powerful blessing. Did you notice the difference between the two blessings? I would certainly rather rather have the blessing Jacob received. I can understand why Esau would hold a grudge. But why would Jacob steal this blessing from his father? Why would his mother help him in this? What was he thinking?
He was obviously thinking only of himself. Years go by. In chapter 32 Jacob has an amazing encounter with God. God changes his name to Israel. Yes, the Israel after whom the country is named. The the beginning of his life, where he is a thief, is not the only story of his life. We have a good who never gives up on us.
"Esau held a grudge against Jacob"
The older son was to receive the blessing. The words of the blessing would shape the rest of the son's life. They believed the father could only give one powerful blessing. Did you notice the difference between the two blessings? I would certainly rather rather have the blessing Jacob received. I can understand why Esau would hold a grudge. But why would Jacob steal this blessing from his father? Why would his mother help him in this? What was he thinking?
He was obviously thinking only of himself. Years go by. In chapter 32 Jacob has an amazing encounter with God. God changes his name to Israel. Yes, the Israel after whom the country is named. The the beginning of his life, where he is a thief, is not the only story of his life. We have a good who never gives up on us.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sept. 12 - Matthew 18:13-20
Matthew 18:13-20
This is one of the teachings of Jesus that sounds great in theory, but is so difficult to practice. How often have you gone to talk to someone who has hurt you deeply that you are not related to? Our natural tendency is to walk away from the relationship rather then deal with the other person. Jesus seems to ask us to go against our natural tendencies a lot!
This is one of the teachings of Jesus that sounds great in theory, but is so difficult to practice. How often have you gone to talk to someone who has hurt you deeply that you are not related to? Our natural tendency is to walk away from the relationship rather then deal with the other person. Jesus seems to ask us to go against our natural tendencies a lot!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Sept. 11 - 1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14
Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift where the Holy Spirit prays through a person. When the person goes to pray, it is not the person praying but the Spirit speaking the words. No one can understand what is being said unless someone has the gift of interpretation of tongues. This person can understand what is being prayed and translates that to the others in the room.
The problem in the Corinth Church is individuals thought speaking in tongues was the greatest gift and were doing so in worship without someone to interpret. This did not help the body of Christ because no one could understand what was being said. So Paul writes "I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."
Later he tells women to be quiet in the service and ask their questions to their husbands when they get home. It it very likely that some women were shouting out questions in the middle of the service and order in the service was being lost. Some have used this passage as justification for telling women not to teach in the church. I think that misses the point.
The of speaking of tongues and women shouting out questions raise the same issue. Both the speaker of tongues and the woman with questions are focusing on themselves and what they want to express in the service. Paul makes it clear when the church is together, what is best for the community is most important. The individual is to put aside his/her desires of the sake of the community. That was contrary to the thinking of the Corinthians and most Americans.
Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift where the Holy Spirit prays through a person. When the person goes to pray, it is not the person praying but the Spirit speaking the words. No one can understand what is being said unless someone has the gift of interpretation of tongues. This person can understand what is being prayed and translates that to the others in the room.
The problem in the Corinth Church is individuals thought speaking in tongues was the greatest gift and were doing so in worship without someone to interpret. This did not help the body of Christ because no one could understand what was being said. So Paul writes "I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."
Later he tells women to be quiet in the service and ask their questions to their husbands when they get home. It it very likely that some women were shouting out questions in the middle of the service and order in the service was being lost. Some have used this passage as justification for telling women not to teach in the church. I think that misses the point.
The of speaking of tongues and women shouting out questions raise the same issue. Both the speaker of tongues and the woman with questions are focusing on themselves and what they want to express in the service. Paul makes it clear when the church is together, what is best for the community is most important. The individual is to put aside his/her desires of the sake of the community. That was contrary to the thinking of the Corinthians and most Americans.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sept. 10 - 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13
"And now I will show you a more excellent way"
Paul writes he could have spiritual gifts such as tongues, prophesy, or faith but if love is not the underlying element in his life, these gifts are meaningless. God's love provides a way for us to have relationship with God. God's love reflected in our lives is at the core of our relationships with one another. If love is not present in our relationships, or if love in not central to how we treat one another in the church, we have missed the point.
"And now I will show you a more excellent way"
Paul writes he could have spiritual gifts such as tongues, prophesy, or faith but if love is not the underlying element in his life, these gifts are meaningless. God's love provides a way for us to have relationship with God. God's love reflected in our lives is at the core of our relationships with one another. If love is not present in our relationships, or if love in not central to how we treat one another in the church, we have missed the point.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sept. 9
1 Corinthians 12
The image that Paul uses for the church is the body. We are all part of the body. Paul's teaching is clear that Christianity is not something we do in isolation but in community. We have been given gifts and abilities not for ourselves, but to serve the body. Our task is to learn what our gifts and abilities are and to use them in service. In doing so we serve Christ and Christ's body.
The image that Paul uses for the church is the body. We are all part of the body. Paul's teaching is clear that Christianity is not something we do in isolation but in community. We have been given gifts and abilities not for ourselves, but to serve the body. Our task is to learn what our gifts and abilities are and to use them in service. In doing so we serve Christ and Christ's body.
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